Security Tightened in Sittwe
Sittwe (Narinjara): Security in Sittwe has been tightened by the military authority with police reinforcements being deployed since yesterday in order to prevent any untoward incidents during Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's trial at Insein prison today.
A witness from Sittwe said, "Over 400 police constables were deployed at many key places in Sittwe and it is related to today's trial of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi by the military junta inside Insein prison court,"
The authority deployed the police forces at five key places in Sittwe - the famous Buddhist temple Buri Gri, Vazali field, U Ottama Garden, Lawka Nanda Pagoda, and U Ray Kyaw Thu temple.
A monk from Sittwe said, "The security in our town has been tightened since yesterday and the authority is worried that a demonstration will be staged by Sittwe people against the military government due to the arrest of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi without justice."
In Bura Gri temple there are over 50 police constables in the standby position and because of this, the numbers of pilgrims visiting the famous temple have decreased.
An elder from Sittwe confirmed with Narinjara that many police vehicles entered the streets of Sittwe to deploy forces at many strategic locations.
He also said, "The authority in Sittwe knows the condition of Sittwe because the people of Sittwe are awaiting information from Burma proper and at anytime a demonstration could break out. Furthermore, the authority realizes how angry people are about the unjust arrest of Daw Suu."
Anti-government sentiment is spreading among monks and students in Arakan after the military authority arrested Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.
The monk said, "Most of the monks and students from Sittwe, Mrauk U, Taungup, and Kyauk Pru are more active at present."
According to a source close to the police force, the riot police forces in Sittwe are being placed on standby for deployment in Sittwe at anytime.
The Burmese military authority has imposed stricter security on many major cities in Burma because Daw Suu, two of her female relatives, and US citizen John William Yettaw will be produced in front of a court for trial inside Insein prison today.
